The laws regarding the use of motorcycle helmets are different in every state. Keep reading to learn about the motorcycle helmet laws in Denton and how they could impact your personal injury claim. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to one of the knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorneys at our firm.
Are There Any Legal Ramifications for Not Wearing a Helmet?
There is a practical ramification of not wearing a helmet. If a person is not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle and they get into a crash with another person, the defendant’s attorney will make that a primary argument if the case ends up in court. They will suggest that by not wearing a helmet, the injured person was not being safe and that they contributed to their injuries. While some people may understand that not wearing a helmet has nothing to do with the actions of the motorcyclist or the negligent driver in a collision, some jurors may not be that discerning. Many jurors will look at the situation and think, “If the plaintiff cares so little about their own life that they would not wear a helmet, then why should the defendant pay?” It is like wearing a seatbelt in a car. For a long time, whether or not an injured person was wearing a seatbelt was inadmissible. However, the Supreme Court has recently held it to be admissible in cases based on negligence. Thus, a person could be considered negligent for not wearing a seatbelt and contributing to their own injuries. Just because it is lawful not to wear a helmet in Denton while riding a motorcycle does not mean that reasonable and prudent people would do so, and that is the argument attorneys see over and over again in court.
